‘60 Ford Starliner build *UPDATE* Interior complete

While I wait for parts or ideas for my more important builds, figured I would do a “busy work” build of one of my all time favorite cars, the ‘60 Starliner!

I am glad AMT did such a fantastic job with this kit so far! My only complaint is Intake manifold to cylinder head fitment.

The plan for this is a mild street custom with modern air-ride. If sparks don’t fly, you’re too high. It will be 1960 Ford Aquamarine with a pearl white roof possibly with a 60’s lace treatment in the same aquamarine color on the roof. Turquoise interior, all stock. Shaved door handles and slammed on Astro Supremes with Sportway 520 tires supplied from the Pegasus Astro wheel set.

Here you see the poor intake fitment, but otherwise awesome detail from a stock kit!

I used Tamiya putty to repair the gaps

The finished engine. PPG Deltron Base Coat Black on the engine, Duplicolor Cast Iron on the manifolds and gear box, Testors Aluminum on the bellhousing, Testors Steel on the splash guard. Gofer distributor with clips added, Detail Master wire loom, and a gold I mixed for the carbs.

Started scratch building the air bags from styrene tubes, O-rings, small washers. Will have air lines going into the trunk.

Test fitting the rear seat for clearance. I figured the drive shaft tunnel, frame rails, and wheel houses would need to be modified for the car to lay frame like it would need to be on a real car. so far it looks like just the wheel houses need to be raised up a little. Plenty of roo under the package tray. The frame may need only a small notch, but it almost lays out as is. I began the wheel house modification, just need to decide on 4-link or 2-link super lift set up with a pan-hard bar. Began shaving the rear axle as well.

Test fitting with the body to see how it sits together after the wheelhouse was cut.

As today’s progress, I decided on a 2-link that will have a triangulated 3rd link above the pumpkin similar to X-frame GMs of the era. Started building the 2-link and bag brackets as well as the axle brackets. This is my first time doing any real scratch building, so a bit of clean up will be required and hopefully putty and paint will make it what she ain’t.

Turns out the frame did need minor notching, nothing the Dremal couldn’t take care of. The pinion bump stop also needed minor grinding.

Today I started figuring out the front suspension. First had to check oil pan clearance. The car will still roll when done, the frame will be about .015” ground clearance. It will look layed out, but I like my kits to still roll. A peek at the next bagged car I will be building In the background. I received PE sets for both cars this week as well as many parts I have needed for a few of my more important van projects.

Test fitting a few parts, air bags tucked into the frame’s spring pocket. Also used Tamiya putty to fill in the hollow portions of the top side of the frame as well as unused holes.

Here you can see a few modifications needed on the right. Opened up the spring pockets to fit the bags. Modified the lower control arms to accommodate for the angle change of the bag when the frame is dumped. Also drilled out the upper A-arm to accomo the ball joint angle. The steering knuckle arms will need to be bent.

Mocked up using a piece of scrap styrene for ride height. I cut off the lower control arm mounts from the frame and reglued them on at a more relaxed angle to the arms. Brushed on a coat of Tamiya surface primer that helps clean up glue lines and sanding scratches in the frame rails where the putty was added. Will sand down with 220 grit to smooth out before I airbrush on the full coat of primer and paint. Next to address the front splash tubs that will not clear the wheels!

I am really enjoying this kit for it’s details! Maybe I am picky, but this kit strikes me as odd in that I have come across quite a few manufacturing defects and unusual ways of casting some parts. I.E. the frame rails in the engine compartment having fully unfinished top side, and the intake manifold casting in the first post. Odd things for a kit of this quality. The body itself will need a lot of love as far as low / sink marks and where it seems the molds didn’t quite line up perfectly. Maybe I just got a bad kit? ‍♂️ I bought 2 AMT 1975 Chevy Rescue Vans for the same retailer 3 weeks apart, I got lucky with the first one as the second one had much much more defects in it. The grill alone had 8 bubbles in it! Maybe if I get a second ‘60 Starliner, I’ll get a better body? Luck of the draw I suppose.

She sits on all 4! The front wheels nearly clear the splash tubs, thinning out the plastic with a Dremal will suffice and allow wheel spin. Sway bar is going in the spare parts bin. A small list of things to do then the real fun of building it like a normal kit can begin!

Finish the rear wheel houses, make front and rear shock mounts, shorten shocks, make the rear axle link mounts to the frame, make 3rd link, and lastly the upper bag brackets for the rear. I would say I’m about half way 60% all the hard thinking is done!

Progress slowed a bit. Was waiting on a call back from the PPG paint code library so Tuesday I can mix up accurate 1960 Ford Aquamarine. Finally got the mixing ratio. Still have a few things to address on the frame then painting it PPG Base coat black. I think I found the perfect size wire for 1/2” scale air lines to the air bags. But today I worked on getting the photo etch grill from Model Car Garage ready.

Also what slowed progress was I’m in the middle of getting casting molds ready for some scratch built 60’s fuel dragsters.

I cut the headlight buckets down, sanded smooth, shaved the back down as much as I think I could. Added a piece of sprue to the back so I could hold the buckets while painting with Molotow and positioning for glueing. Worked out well!

Small hiatus from this project because I was busy with life, the gym, and work. Since my last post I did some interior work. Began removing window cranks, door handles, and getting parts ready for photo etched parts. I fully painted the interior but I was not happy with the accent color. Instead of turquoise like the kit calls for, I decided to use the exterior color (1960 Aquamarine) and left it matte. I mixed the accent color by adding dark blue and black. It looked fine on the test spray but on the actual seats, it came out too lavender looking (really should have added dark green too) The solution was to remask and respray. I used some 1957 GM dark turquoise And dusted the aquamarine over top to lighten it up some. Much happier with the second color! Began detailing the dash, just need to finish the gauges.

Here is the botched accent color job.

And the respray with the much better accent color! Aluminum and chrome accents next.

Interior is all complete including keys in the ignition and dangling key chain. i will probably add a few details like an air freshener and I will make some sort of air ride controls for now it’s done. I am a little disappointed that the Molotow liquid chrome softened up the base coat on the steering wheeel to the point I stripped it twice and repainted. All three time the chrome came out chunky looking. Finally threw in the towel and said good enough. Next time I’ll have to mask off the chrome areas before painting.

Also, the grill is finished including wiring to the headlights and high beams.